Heat exchanger for multiple cooling loops

Abstract

A heat exchanger, including first and second collecting tanks with an inlet, an outlet, and an opening through a wall of the first tank. At least one row of tubes extends between the collecting tanks, and the tubes and tanks carry a first medium and a second medium flows through the spaces between the tubes. A first partition divides the first collecting tank and defines an opening therethrough, and a second partition divides the second collecting tank, with the first and second partitions defining separate loops for the first medium when the first partition opening is closed. A discharge device selectively either simultaneously opens both the first collecting tank opening and the first partition opening for emptying or simultaneously closes both the first collecting tank opening and the first partition opening for operation.

1. A heat exchanger, comprising: a first collecting tank having an opening trough a wall of said first tank; a second collecting tank; at least one row of tubes extending between said collecting tanks, said tubes having spaces therebetween, with said tubes and tanks adapted to carry a first medium and a second medium adapted to flow through the spaces between the tubes; an inlet in one of said collecting tanks; an outlet in one of said collecting tanks; a first partition dividing said first collecting tank, said partition defining an opening therethrough; a second partition dividing said second collecting tank, wherein said first and second partitions define separate loops for said first medium when said first partition opening is closed; a discharge device having a first state in which fluid flow through the first collection tank opening and the first partition opening is closed by the discharge device, and a second state in which the first collection tank opening and the first partition opening are opened to fluid flow therethrough. 
   
   
     2. The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein said discharge device selectively opens or closes both openings simultaneously. 
   
   
     3. The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein said discharge device includes a rod having one end adapted to plug the first partition opening and the other end plugging the first tank opening, said rod being mounted for selected removal from said first tank. 
   
   
     4. The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein said discharge device includes a tubular member open on both ends, with one open end defining said first partition opening; and a closure plug at the first tank opening adapted to selectively open or close said first tank opening and the other open end of said tubular member. 
   
   
     5. The heat exchanger of  claim 4 , wherein said tubular member is shorter than the distance between said first tank opening and said first partition opening, and said closure plug includes a pin whose cross-section corresponds roughly to the cross-section of the tubular opening of said tubular member, said pin being received in said tubular member tubular opening when said closure plug is in said first tank opening. 
   
   
     6. The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second partitions are at substantially the same height.